United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an international treaty that aims to mitigate human-caused climate change through negotiation between UN member states. The treaty was signed in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and went into effect in 1994. The Kyoto Protocol and Paris Climate Agreement, two landmark treaties in climate change prevention, build upon the work of the UNFCCC to set more ambitious and actionable targets towards halting human-caused climate change. All UN member states are also parties to the UNFCCC.
Topic A: SHARING THE BURDEN OF EMISSIONS REDUCTION
The world is an unequal place, and the burden of reducing greenhouse gas emissions falls unevenly between nations. Wealthy, developed nations produce far more emissions per capita than poorer, less developed countries. At the same time, many developing countries rely upon cheap, but dirty, fossil fuels to develop their economies and raise their standard of living. Do these two goals–emissions reduction and economic development–stand in opposition to each other? Should such developing nations slow their emissions growth even if it means sacrificing valuable economic and quality of life gains? Emissions reduction can be stifled by financial barriers–do wealthy nations have a responsibility to finance the emissions reductions of poorer, developing nations?
Topic B: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions will, in many instances, require significant investment and construction of renewable energy projects. Yet these green power installations often come at the expense of harming local ecosystems, wildlife, and natural landscapes. From offshore wind disrupting ocean habitats to lithium mines carving open vast swaths of terrain, renewable energy projects designed to help countries meet their climate goals and natural ecosystem protections do not always move in harmony. Where does the correct balance lie between accounting for both of these interests? Should humans prioritize their own well-being and pursue such green energy installations or focus on protecting ecosystems instead?
